Foot appliance



Aug. 2, 1932-.

R. J. B. SMITH I 1,870,029

FOOT APPLIANCE Filed April 9, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l gwuentoz 7505a J. B. Smith.

Aug. 2, 1932. R. J. B. SMITH 1,370,029

' FOOT APPLIANCE Filed April 9, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gwoanhw 12556 1:5. Smith.

Many:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BOSE J. B. SMITH, F CLIEYEIAND, OHIO roo'r rumor:

v Application filed. April 9,

under hosiery and when soiled, discarded,

or, if still intact, cleansed, and, if desired,

chemically treated to place it in condition for further use.

Generally stated, the objects of the invention are, to protect the tissues of the toe area of the feet from burning, pulling and other injuries which result from friction and dressing the feet; to provide a smooth, soft, dense, resistive and antiseptic direct contact covering for the toes in place of the comparative 1y coarse, clinging hose fabric which absorbs perspiration and becomes permeated with;

matter from the toes; to provide a protecting device after toe, treatment or a retainer of dressings on or between the toes; to provide a shock-absorbing and insulating medium for the'toe area of the foot and promote renewal of tissues through improved circulation and assist in the prevention and cure of distressing foot ailments, and to promulgate sanitation and health in the toe area of the feet in general.

When walking, the toes are constantly be ing subjected to friction as pressure is applied to and removed from the ball of the foot, and this frictional action ofttimes produces a burning sensation throughout the foot, cramping of the muscles in the outer side of the foot, soft corns between the toes, and other like injurious effects. Theim- '5' proved device herein disclosed reduces such friction to a minimum, and thus eliminates the detrimental results incident thereto.

The improved appliance is preferably made of paper of a soft texture but of a consistency to give a desirable tenacity, and waxed, glazed, or treated in any preferred manner, to give a smooth, glossy-antiseptic, and, in many instances, a medicated or nutritive surface coating.

' In the drawings:

1930. semi 5K0. 442,905.

Figure 1 is a side view of the appliance in applied position. Figure 2 is an opposite side view showing the appliance and a hose applied thereover in section. 1 so Figure 3 is a plan view ofa blank of which the appliance is formed. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the appliance in partly folded condition. I Figure 5 is a bottom view thereof. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the blank completely folded.

Figure -7 is a. view, also'in perspective, of amodification. i

The blank comprises a body portion 5 having an arcuate contour at 5a, opposite slde folding portions 6 and 7, and intermediate folding ortions or flaps8 and 9. The dotted lines de e the-points where the blank is to I V be bent or folded, and these lines maybe lightly defined on the blank when it is m1- tially stamped to facilitate the folding operation, it being preferred not to impress sald lines too deeply as this might have a tendency to detract mm the smooth surface contour of the blank "when folded. I w A method whereby the blank may read} ily folded and secured in folded positlon, is to utilize paraflin or wax treated paper and fold the blank when the paraffin or wax is warm. The parts will then readily adhere to one another and become more securely attached when the parafiin or wax cools.

The method of folding the blank as herein shown consists in bending the side portion 6 over and the flap 8 next rought up and secured to the portion 6 and the -flap 9 is brought up to form a pocket, the flap 7 finally belng brought over and secured over the other flaps, or may be permittedto remain unattached, asdesired. The method in which the device is assembled is' illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 and will be clearly understood by referring to these figures and the corresponding numerals applied thereto; Figure 6 shows the appliance in folded position ready to be applied over the toe area of the foot, as in Figure 1. i

It will be noted that the device extends well back under the toes and provides a smooth surface contact therefor, and at the same time the appliance is not held in place under tension, as m appliances where the toe and heel pieces are connected. Thus when walking, the toes are unrestricted and any friction that may take place is reduced to a minimum in view of the smooth comfortable character of the material of which the appliance is made.

Alkaline salts and like deposits are seldom entirely removed from hosiery in laundering, and the coarse lining of a shoe clings to the deposit-infected hose, and when walking, this part of the hose pulls or rubs and irritates the toes, particularly if the latter are unusually sensitive- This objectionable feature is entirely eliminated by the use of the improved appliance, and furthermore, the appliance prevents the burning sensation due to deposits retained in the texture of the hosiery.

The appliance is contoured with a view toward increasing its comfort and eificiency, the arcuate portion 5a following the contour of the base of the toes while the under 'portion of the blank curves back as indicated in dotted lines under or partially under the ball I of the foot.

The extra material provided by the appliance when in position under the hose constitutes a pad and delicate shock absorbing medium for the toe area, and this efiect may be enhanced by using fluted or crinkly paper for the blank.

The appliance is very cheaply and easily constructed, the cost being almost negligible and the blanks 5 may be stamped out an treated in large quantities.

It is recognized that heretofore toe caps for preventing wear on hosiery have been devised, and also fabric coverings for the toes, but such devices cannot serve the function of the present type of appliance. When toe tips are applied over the individual toes, the

latter are separated and an unnatural cramped circulation-retarding condition results, while if an absorptive fabric is used,

the same frictional action and deposit-pen meated condition is present as would be when the toes contact with fabric hose.

The present applianceis rendered smooth, antiseptic and non-absorptive and permits a free natural movement of the toes without friction and without absorbing matter from the toes and promotes free circulation and provides a comfortable medium which will assist in the prevention and cure of foot ailments.

Figure 7 shows an ap liance molded in one piece from rubber or ii e non'absorbent material having a soft and comfort-promoting.

skin-contacting surface. In this instance,

also, the inner surface of the appliance may be treated to render it medicated and otherwise promote comfort and health in the toe area of the foot.

When my article is made of paper suitably treated as previously set forth herein, by reason of leaving one of the flaps unattached, it will be apparent that the cubic area enclosed by the cap body is not fixed and there fore the article would be free to adjust itself in such a manner that it may be made in a very few number of sizes and yet will be susceptible with such range of sizes to fit practically all difi'erent sizes of feet. This is a special advantage in leaving said flap unattached in the manner stated.

\Vhen my article is made of continuous form as in Figure 7, from any material adapted. to casting, molding, dipping, or any other adequate process, the cap may be produced in many predetermined sizes. Or

the cap may be produced of a size definitely larger than the foot to allow ample room for comfortable fitting about the toe portion of the foot, if desired, and when of such in- .jections to a slight folding which may be accomplished by the user very readily to perfectly adjust the article to his foot and creased size, it is susceptible of adjustment especially to the contour of the toe prior to drawing on the hose or stocking.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-- 1. A foot appliance consisting of a blank of smooth, non-absorbent and imperforate flexible material, and provided with side portions and intermediate flap members, which when folded form a complete covering for the entire toe area of the foot.

2. An appliance for protecting the toe area of the foot, consisting of a blank stamped from non-absorbent and imperforate flexible material, which is treated to render it smooth and antiseptic, the blank being formed with a main body portion and side folding portions, and intermediate flap members .WhlCll when folded form a cap which fits over the entire toe area of the foot.

3. As an article of manufacture, a foot appliance consisting of a blank which is stamped or cut from smooth, non-absorbent and imperforate paper, the blank being formed with a main body portion having flaps extending therefrom and side folding portions adapted to fold over the flaps to form a cap which completely covers the en the toe area. of the foot.

4. An article of'the character described, Y

comprising the combination with a or stockin of a foot appliance within the sock or stoc ng, the app lance comprising I on of medicated, smooth, non-absorbent an imperforate flexible material for completely covering only the entire toe area of the foot, and occupying the entire toe are: of the sock or stocking.

In testimony whereof I afix m ROSE J. B. 

